The Most Expensive German Cars Ever Sold at Auction

German luxury cars dominate some of the most valuable auction results, and RM Sotheby’s Monterey underscores that trend with the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster, which sold for $9,905,000 in 2022. This exemplifies how the 540 K family captured the attention of the wealthy and powerful, with custom bodies and advanced engineering for its era. The car on offer was ordered new in Sindelfingen’s high-door, long-tail Special Roadster configuration, and changed hands to Mohammed Zahir Shah, Afghanistan’s former king. The extent of German engineering—paced by such models—helps explain why these early Mercedes are among the most coveted classics at auction.